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followed the tenets of religion. He lived in his matrilineal house along with his parents as per the existing custom of matrilineal families. His parents and other family members naturally influenced him towards conservatism. Govindankutty accepted all the traditional life of a Nair boy. He visited temples, worshipped individual Gods, involved in prayers, offerings and other religious customs. He was sent to a nearby school, the Kollankode Board
Elementary School. Several changes had occurred in the field of education in Kerala during this time. But majority were unaware of the importance of English education. Sanskrit scholars were respected everywhere. The students usually had gone to the residence of Sanskrit scholars to master the language. The well-known scholar Padmanabha Sastri was the Sanskrit Guru who gave guidance to Govindankutty. His father Kunhikrishna Menon sent his son to Koodalloor Sastrikal for higher course in Sanskrit. He studied grammar, poetry and poetics from his guru. His grasping power was extraordinary. He had expressed his poetic genius during this time. By this time he became well versed in Hindu scriptures and Tamil language. There was nothing spectacular or any sign of his later beliefs of rationalism or atheism in his early life or childhood.
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passages to highlight and cement his ideology. The authoritative truths he proved, with examples and logic viz., the triumph of eternal bliss, real happiness is the peacefulness of the mind, the prime victory is the victory over the mind, non-violence is the foremost form of righteousness, rites like sacrifices creates ignorance, happiness is innate etc. resulted in a denial of blindly followed principles and actions, and the formation of new progressive thoughts and principles. On its basis, the caste system, the practise of untouchability, idolatry, the temple oriented customs, animal sacrifice, superstitions, institutionalized religion, were opposed and the awareness that all men are equal was developed. As a rational intellect, he stood for the rescue of poor, neglected and ignorant lay man and elevated them to a universal brotherhood.
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ignorance. Even though he was a Sanskrit scholar, he preferred simple
Malayalam, the vernacular language, to make the common people aware of their real status in the society. Brahmananda Sivayogi believes that superstitions and evil customs influenced the common people due to their ignorance of Rajayoga. The religious rivalry and misery can be put to an end by the knowledge that the original universal religion of mankind is "Ananda" alone. Under the leadership of direct disciples of Sivayogi like V.K.Kombi Achan, Sivaramakrishna Iyer, G.Krishna Iyer, T.K.P.Anandayogi, C.Kannan Nair, Sooryanarayana Sharma, P.A.Anandan,
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concerned with his spiritual mission. He established a spiritual institution named Siddhasrama in 1907 at
Alathur. Brahmananda Sivayogi's revolutionary activities were accelerated after he settled down at Alathur. He started Anandamatham (Religion of Bliss) and made a tour in some parts of Kerala to propagate the ideals of Ananda matham‘ and carried on a consistent struggle against the anti socio-religious practices. His wife Thavukuttyamma became his true disciple and got the title as Yoginimatha.
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491:) on the request of Gopalan and all Brahmosamajists of Malabar, and also for extending his untiring services done through Brahmo Samaj. He started Sidhdhasramam in Alathur on 1891. He propounded the theory that anandam (happiness or bliss) should be the touchstone of any human activity. The movement he spearheaded played an important role in the
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honored him as "Brahmananda Swami" recognising his spiritual and literary knowledge. He had the opportunity to listen to their discourses. It naturally enriched his knowledge. Their rejection of the practice of idol worship influenced him considerably. He also got proficient
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of Kerala. He was the ninth son of Nani Amma of "Karatt" family and
Kunhikrishna Menon of Kunnath Ravunnyarath at Vallengi. He had nine brothers and one sister. In his childhood, Brahmananda Sivayogi was called Govindankutty. His mother was a devout Nair lady who strictly
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Like all renaissance leaders, he emphasized the importance education especially that of women education. Sivayogi brought and read many scholarly authoritative texts. He learned and interpreted the Sanskrit texts and borrowed important
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seeing his oratorial abilities. As a social reformer, Brahmananda Sivayogi never appeared in stages and addressed huge masses. His main intention was to enlighten the people and teach them to liberate themselves from superstitions and
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Gradually he started practising
Rajayoga. During this time, he embraced saintly life and attire completely, he named his residence at Alathur as Siddhashrama. Sivayogi stopped his teaching profession in 1907 and devoted entirely to the activities
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Accordingly, he married
Thavukutty Amma of Mukkil Maruthur at Vadavannur. He had to look after his own family and started his career as a Sanskrit Munshi at
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and joined Board Middle School at
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was a turning point in his life. During this time a branch of Brahmo Samaj was functioning at
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Biography of
Brahmananda Sivayogi written by K Bheeman Nair "Asathyathil ninnu sathyathilekku"(അസത്യത്തിൽ നിന്ന് സത്യത്തിലേക്ക് )
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He was titled "Brahmananda
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Native High School which is now known as
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Brahmananda Sivayogi was born on 26 August 1852 at Kollankode, a small village in
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845:(Translation of most popular books are available in English, Hindi and Tamil.)
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Atheist, writer, and social reformer of Kerala, Sanskrit teacher (1852–1929)
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on the request of Dr. Gopalan and Brahmosamajists of Malabar.
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in 1918. He proposed Anandadarsam or Anandamadham (religion of bliss).
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After his Sanskrit studies, Karat Govinda Menon moved to
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Alathur Sivayogi, Alathur Swami, Siddha Muni, Purusha Simham
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Swami Sivayogi died on 10 September 1929 at the age of 77.
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870:Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi and His Selected Works
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949:, University of Kerela Press, 2001, p. 270.
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973:Kerala Navothanam - Oru Marxist Veekshanam
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700:Learn how and when to remove this message
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208:, the most prominent face of the movement
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41:Relevant discussion may be found on the
858:Biography of Brahmananda swami Sivayogy
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877:See also (Social reformers of Kerala)
992:Books of Sivayogi can be read online
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353:E. M. S. Namboodiripad
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448:Karatt Govinda Menon
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969:-14, Kerala)
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1001:Categories
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214:Background
136:1852-08-26
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457:sanyasi
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371:Others
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